THE NATION is beholden to the international community for having shown extreme generosity in raising more funds than estimated to cost reconstruction of some 400,000 houses and infrastructure devastated by the monumental catastrophe of 8t” October. The donors at the conference held at Islamabad were surely more than convinced that the challenge posed by the tragedy was unprecedented and they appreciated the need for funds to bring back smiles on the faces of around 5.7 million people whose lives were shattered President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan made impassioned appeals to the world community to contribute at least U.S. S 5.2 billion estimated to fund reconstruction programme. By the end of the day on Saturday pledges to the tune of U.S. $ 5.9 billion had been made by international financial institutions, foreign Governments and NGOs. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told newsmen late in the evening that he expected the total figure to exceed six billion mark. This demonstrates world community’s appreciation of the magnitude of widespread destruction and its trust in the ability of the Government of Pakistan to judiciously utilize these huge funds. Billion thanks are therefore due to the donors regardless of the size of their contributions totaling so far 5.9 billion American dollars
The way forward is a long ,drawn out effort. First, the donors shall hopefully back up their pledges with urgent remittances. Secondly, the relief and rehabilitation agencies shall have to proceed with a sense of urgency and commitment to implement President Musharraf s strategy. This is not an easy task. All concerned shall have to demonstrate sincerity of purpose to rebuild the lives of the traumatized millions. The onus is now on the Government of Pakistan and the entire nation. The donors have given these huge funds for a humanitarian cause. President has assured the donors that every penny of their generous contribution shall be judiciously used and absolute transparency shall be ensured. Prescribed audits shall be carried out. Third party audit shall also be necessary. Around six billion dollars are presently sufficient for reconstruction. It is however estimated that as we move along requirement on this account may rise. Relief operations are continuing in the meantime. The people of Pakistan shall have to continue to raise funds to ensure that the survivors do not die of hunger, disease and exposure. It is satisfying to note that the operations shall be undertaken under the umbrella of a civilian authority with Pakistan Army playing a pivotal role. The present arrangement as outlined by President Musharraf in which Army will be coordinating relief and reconstruction activities will hopefully avoid political interference.
Apart from various audits, transparency will be also observed through utilization of funds on sponsorship basis. It is expected that major donors such as Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Qatar, etc. shall sponsor reconstruction of a whole area or infrastructure projects in education and health sectors. The world has done its job. Now the local agencies are to do their duty.

War of the Worlds

ANOTHER summit of top regional leaders on global trade; another round of police-protester clashes on the streets. This has been happening with unfailing regularity now. It happened very recently in Mar del Plata in Argentina at the Summit of Americas, and now it’s happening in Busan in South Korea, where the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) just concluded its two-day summit.
The leaders of the summit agreed on strategies to tackle a range of issues, also calling for an end to the stalemate of global trade talks, ahead of next month’s WTO meeting in Hong Kong. Outside the venue, police used water cannon to disperse the thousands of demonstrators, many of whom were armed with sticks and bottles. Farmers, among the marchers, were protesting at plans to allow more foreign rice imports into South Korea. While the Apec leaders want to see a breakthrough in the WTO’s so-called Doha round of talks which began in 2001, the round has become mired in disagreement despite the stated aim of working towards a trade system fairer to the Third World.
Invariably, even as strategies, negotiations and trade deals are chalked out in opulent conference halls, the searing streets outside bristle with the anger of anti-globalisation activists. And the activists are not alone in their anger. Increasingly, they are being joined by a larger number of protesters every year, including students, farmers, leftists and jobless youth.
Every year, a stronger police force is required to quell the demonstrations. Ever since the Seattle surprise of 1999, it has become a kind of standard procedure to erect miniature police states around such globalisation summit venues. Then, begin the usual rounds of tear-gassing, pepper-spraying and water-cannoning. After all the media hype and hoopla, it is back to business as usual — preparations for further summits take shape.
But what is it about such summits that raise the hackles of so many people out in the streets? And why are the protesters growing larger in numbers every year? One would have thought that as globalisation gathers pace, the anti-globalisation movement would gradually fizzle out, accepting the inevitability of a shrinking world.
But surprisingly, many staunch globalisation advocates too now concede that the anti-market forces do have a point, even though they make it too loud and harsh. A major valid point is you can’t have free and fair trade in an inherently unequal world. Many ask for a level playing field that should automatically give a headstart to the poorer countries. Not accepting such arguments can only prove disastrous for many trade groupings and associations. For, you cannot have free trade while barricading half of humanity outside the fringes.
All legitimate concerns need to accommodated if globalisation is to move forward. In a global village, wide disparities can indeed be harmful.

—Khaleej Times